Hamburger Meat At RI Dog Park Was Likely Turtle Food: Police

WESTERLY, RI — Police say raw hamburger meat found at a Westerly dog park presents no danger to humans or to animals, and that the meat was probably left by someone who was feeding turtles at a nearby pond.

Police Chief Shawn Lacey said an investigation was launched earlier this month after a woman told police she found the meat while walking her dog along the banks of Chapman Pond near the Bruce G. Ladd Memorial Dog Park. Upon arrival, officers found four pieces of hamburger "about the size of a dime" on an embankment next to the pond — but there was nothing suspicious about the meat.

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“Our best guess, as people often do with bread and geese, is that the meat was being used to attract the turtles' attention," Lacey told The Westerly Sun. "They often sit on the grate there and the turtles see the meat and come swimming. You are not supposed to feed them like that, but people do it anyway.”

Lacey said there were no reported illnesses or injuries as a result of the hamburger.

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The meat matter had caused a stir on Facebook, and rumors were circulating online. Lacey said there were allegations that meat had been used to poison dogs in Warwick a few years back. The chief said he called Warwick police directly and learned that no such incident had occurred.